Onnoghen To Be Sworn In As CJN Today By Osinbajo

Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, will today administer the oath of office on the newly-confirmed Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen in substantive capacity. Onnoghen had been sworn in as Acting CJN on November 10 last year by President Muhammadu Buhari when the then CJN, Muhammad Mahmud, retired on attaining the age of 70. Osinbajo, who will perform the swearing-in ceremony at the Council Chamber of Aso Rock Villa, may also confer on the new CJN the National Honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (CGON) as has been customarily done to his recent predecessors. Apprehension and intrigues had trailed his confirmation as substantive CJN following Buhari’s reluctance to immedi­ ately forward his name to the Senate for statutory screening and confirma­ tion. The maximum three-month acting tenure of Onnoghen was on the verge of expiry when Osinbajo, in the absence of Buhari, nominated him for confirmation by the legislature. This paved way for him to continue in office beyond the three months until the Senate confirmed him last Wednesday. Buhari has been on medical vacation over an undisclosed ailment since January 19, 2017.

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